I John 2:9-11 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
The Apostle John challenges the genuineness of our relationship with Jesus by pointing out that there should be clear evidences of our faith at work in both our relationship with the Lord and our brethren. We cannot claim that we know and love Jesus while walking in sinful darkness, and we cannot claim that we walk in the light of Jesus and hate our brothers and sisters in Christ. John speaks much about our love for one another. Jesus Himself told us that the world will know we belong to Him by the way we love one another. Is it always easy? No, it is not. Because in order to truly love one another it will take supernatural love, which is only possible if Jesus is truly Savior and Lord of our lives. It means that we will need the strength to forgive each other, since not one of us is perfect and will most certainly fall short and offend one another. It means that we will encounter brothers and sisters that we may not like, but we are commanded to love. In this letter John makes a very important point, in chapter 4, verses 20-21. They read as follows: If someone says, "'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also." Our love for one another is part of our evidence that we belong to Jesus and are walking in His light.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).
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